Two

The Captain and Applicant for AB (1)

Cap. ------interviewer

AB. ------interviewee

Cap.: Good morning, everybody.

AB.: Good morning, sir.

Cap.: Who is Li Ping?

AB.: It's me, sir.

Cap.: Sit here, please.

AB.: Yes, sir.

Cap.: You are willing to work in our company, aren't you?

AB.: Yes, I'd love to.

Cap.: The sailing route of our company's ships is very long. Aren't you afraid of the hardship?

AB.: No, I'm not afraid at all. Since I am a seaman, I should not be afraid of any hardships and difficulties.

Cap.: I am very glad to hear that. Actually, any tiredness, difficulties and hardships should not prevent the seamen from going forward. Now, may I ask you some questions?

AB.: Please, but I'm sorry, sir. My oral English is not very good. Would you please speak slowly?

Cap.: OK! Do you live in Shanghai?

AB.: No, I don't. My home is in the suburb of Nanjing.

Cap.: How far is it from Shanghai to Nanjing?

AB.: More than 300 kilometers.

Cap.: When you go back home, can you go to Nanjing by boat?

AB.: Yes, I can. There are some passenger-liners from Shanghai to Hankou, calling at many ports on the way, and Nanjing port is one of them.

Cap.: So Nanjing is also a port city.

AB.: Yes, she is a newly built port and is being enlarged day after day. In fact, she has become one of the largest ports along the Yangtze River.

Cap.: Then, in the future, our ships may sail to Nanjing, too.

AB.: Welcome! But the tonnage of the ships should not be too big; it'd better be less than 20 thousand tons.

Cap.: Well, you seem to be clear about it, don't you?

AB.: Of course, Nanjing is my hometown after all.

Cap.: Have you ever received any special technical training?

AB.: Yes, I have. I am a graduate of Nanjing Marine Technical School.

Cap.: When did you graduate?

AB.: In June 1997.

Cap.: What courses did you study in school?

AB.: I studied many courses, which can be divided into two parts: basic courses and specialized courses. Seamanship is the most important one among the specialized courses. I also learned something about steering of ships.

Cap.: How many years did you study in the school?

AB.: Altogether 3 years. Two years in classroom and one year on board as an apprentice.

Cap.: When did you start to work as a quartermaster?

AB.: I have been working as a quartermaster for over two years since November 1999.

Cap.: How do you comment on your technical ability?

AB.: I am confident that I can be a qualified quartermaster in your company.

Cap.: How many ships have you served as a quartermaster?

AB.: 3 ships.

Cap.: Have you ever worked together with the foreigner?

AB.: No, I never worked with any foreign crew, and it will be my first time if you employ me.

Cap.: Do you really hope to be employed?

AB.: Of course, otherwise I wouldn't come here today.

Cap.: All right. Here is another question, please answer it with your pen.

AB.: Writing? It is too difficult for me, I never wrote anything in English since I left school. But I will try it anyway; pardon me if I make too many mistakes.

Cap.: Take it easy, it doesn't matter if you really can't do this.

AB.: I'm very sorry, I can't write it out in English, but I understand its meaning.

Cap.: Well, tell me what the question means, and answer it.

AB.: The meaning of the question is: what is a quartermaster required to do on the bridge when the ship is ready for departure?

Cap.: Answer it orally, please!

AB.: Start the steering gear; check the helm wheel; hang up the signal flags in the day time; inspect the navigation lights at night; clean the glasses around the bridge and so on.

Cap.: So much for today, thank you for coming here, bye-bye.

AB.: Bye-bye.

二

船长和应聘一水(1)

船长:早上好,诸位.

一水:早安,先生.

船长:谁是李平?

一水:我就是,先生.

船长:请坐到这里来.

一水:是,先生.

船长:你愿意到我们的公司工作,是不是?

一水:是的,我非常愿意.

船长:我们公司船舶的航行航线很长,你不怕苦吗?

一水:是的,我不怕.既然来当船员,就应该不怕苦、不怕难.

船长:听你这样说,我很高兴.对于船员来说,苦、累、难都不应该阻止他们前进.现在,我来问你几个问题好吗?

一水:请吧!但我很抱歉,先生.我的英语口语不太好,请你说得慢些,好吗?

船长:好的 ,你家在上海吗?

一水:不,我家在南京郊区.

船长:从上海到南京有多远?

一水:大约300多公里.

船长:当你回家时,可以从上海乘船到南京吗?

一水:是的，我可以乘船.从上海到汉口有定期的客班船,这些船在沿途停靠很多港口,而南京港就是它们要停靠的港口之一.  

船长:这么说,南京也是一个港口了.

一水:是的,它是一个新建的港口,而且现在又在日益扩大,已经成为长江沿岸较大的港口之一.

船长:那么,我们的船今后也要到南京去.

一水:欢迎!不过船舶的吨位不要太大,最好在2万吨以下.

船长:呵!你似乎知道得很清楚,是吗?

一水:那当然,南京毕竟是我的故乡.

船长:你受过专门的技术培训吗?

一水:是的,我受过培训.我毕业于南京航海技术专科学校.

船长:你是什么时候毕业的?

一水:1997年6月.

船长:在学校里学了哪些课程?

一水:我学了很多课程.这些课程分为基础课和专业课两大类.船艺课是专业课程中最重要的一门.我也学了一些有关船舶驾驶的课程.

船长:在学校读了几年?

一水:总共是三年,两年在课堂学习,一年在船上实习.

船长:你什么时候开始做舵工?

一水:从1999年11月开始,至今已有两年多了.

船长:你如何评价自己的技术能力?

一水:我有信心在你们公司里做一名合格的舵工.

船长:你在几艘船上做过舵工?

一水:三艘船.

船长:你和别的国家的船员一起工作过吗?

一水:不,我从来没有,如果你雇佣我的话,那就是我的第一次.

船长:你真的希望我雇佣你?

一水:当然,不然的话,我今天就不会到这里来了.

船长:那行.这里还有一个问题,请你用笔作答.

一水:要写?对于我来说,这太难了，我自从离开学校以后,就没有用英语写过.但是我愿意试试,如果错误很多,请不要见笑.

船长:别紧张,实在不行也无妨.

一水:很抱歉,我写不出来.但我理解它的意思.

船长:那么,请说说问题的意思,然后再回答.

一水:问题的意思是:船舶在准备开航前,驾驶台上的舵工要做哪些工作?

船长:请口头回答一下.

一水:开启航机,核对舵轮,在白天挂起需要的信号旗,在夜晚要检查航行灯,擦干净驾驶室四周的玻璃,等等.

船长:今天到此为止,谢谢你前来.再见.

一水:再见.

Three

The Captain and Applicant for AB (2)

Cap. ------interviewer

AB. ------interviewee

Cap.: Morning. Mr.Li.

AB.: Good morning, captain.

Cap.: Sit down, please.

AB.: Thank you, sir.

Cap.: When the ship is getting alongside, you are on the gangway watch, and what should you do?

AB.:1. Register the names of people aboard, and inform the working staff to go through the safety passage.

    2. Pay attention to the safety of the gangway. When the ship is at a tide port, to avoid collision, I should lower or lift the gangway according to the change of the tide.

    3. Take regular examination on mooring lines.

    4. When replenishing the freshwater, take regular examination to prevent overflowing. When topping up the tank, close the valve and inform the department concerned.

    5. When there is another ship berthing alongside, inform the duty officer. At the same time, prepare the fender and moor the coming ship.

    6. When there is another ship passing by, be cautious about the lines of my own ship to see whether they have been damaged by the waves.

    7. Examine whether the rat guards have been properly placed on the mooring lines.

Cap.: I am very satisfied with your answer. You are really experienced. Good luck and good-bye.

AB.: Thank you, captain. Bye.

三

船长和应聘一水(2)

船长:早上好,李先生.

一水:早上好,船长.

船长:请坐.

一水:谢谢.

船长:当船靠泊时,你在梯口值班的时候,你应该做些什么?

一水:1.对上船人员要进行登记,并告诉登轮的工作人员,应走安全通道.

     2.注意梯子安全.对有潮汐的港口,应注意根据潮汐的变化,收放梯子,以防碰损.

     3.定期检查系缆绳.

     4.若船舶加淡水时,应定期检查,防止淡水外溢.当水加满后,及时关闭阀门,并通知有关部门.

     5.当外舷有他船来靠时,报告值班驾驶员.同时准备好碰垫,为来船带缆绳.

     6.有他船经过时,注意本船缆绳有否被浪损.

     7.检查是否在系缆绳上妥善放置了防鼠板.

船长:我很满意你的回答,你的确很有经验.祝你好运,再见.

一水:谢谢船长,再见.

Four

The Captain and Applicant for AB (3)

Cap. ------interviewer

AB. ------interviewee

Cap.: Good afternoon. Take a seat, please.

AB.: Thank you. Good afternoon, captain.

Cap.: You look very young and have a good state of mind.

AB.: Thank you for your appreciation, captain.

Cap.: You are 27 years old now, aren't you?

AB.: Yes, that's right.

Cap.: Very good. How many life-saving exercises have you taken when you work on board?

AB.: Many times. The life-saving exercises used to be held once in three months; now we do it once a month.

Cap.: Could you please describe the process of the life-saving exercises?

AB.: Yes, sir. On hearing the alarm of the exercises. I put on the life jacket and safety helmet as soon as possible, and then run to the deck in no time. First, uncover the lifeboat; put the boat plug in its proper place. After examining the equipment of the boat, we are ready to launch the boat.

Cap.: What's your post in launching the boat?

AB.: I usually act as the boat quartermaster.

Cap.: What will you do after the exercises?

AB.: We hoist the boat up to the deck, then take out the boat plug, rearrange the equipment of the boat, and finally fix the boat.

Cap.: Has any accident happened in launching or hoisting the boats?

AB.: No.

Cap.: Which kinds of ships have you served?

AB.: I used to serve on oil tanker, LPG ship, general cargo ship, and container ship.

Cap.: Well, you have experienced on different kinds of ships. By the way, have you taken part in the fire drills?

AB.: Of course. There used to be a fire drill once a month.

Cap.: What's your post in the drill?

AB.: According to the emergency card on my bed, I shall take the portable fire extinguisher or fire hydrant to join the drill.

Cap.: Could you describe the different fire extinguishers in different cases?

AB.: Yes, sir! If the fire is caused by the burning wood, cotton or coal, it should be put out by the water; if the fire is caused by paint, alcohol or petroleum chemicals, we should use the foam extinguisher or carbon dioxide extinguisher to stop the fire; if the fire is caused by the leaking electricity, we should cut off the power first, then use carbon tetrachloride, sand, halide, and other fire-fighting equipment to prevent the fire from spreading .Beside, I shall have to put on anti-fire outfit.

Cap.: Well done.

AB.: Thank you, Captain.

Cap.: Good-bye.

AB.: Bye-bye.

四

船长和应聘一水(3)

船长:下午好.请坐.

一水:谢谢.船长下午好.

船长:你看上去很年轻,精神也很好.

一水:谢谢船长的赞美.

船长:你今年27岁,对吗?

一水:是的,你说对了.

船长:很好。你在船上工作期间进行过多少次救生演习?

一水:很多次.以前是每三个月进行一次.现在每个月进行一次.

船长:你能否向我介绍一下进行救生演习的情况?

一水:每当我听到救生演习警报,立即穿好救生衣,带上安全帽,迅速奔上艇甲板,揭开艇罩,安放好艇底塞,检查艇上设备有无损坏,做好放艇准备.

船长:放艇时,你的岗位是什么?

一水:我经常任操舵手.

船长:演习结束后,你做些什么?

一水:把小艇吊回甲板,取出艇底塞,整理好艇上所有的设备,最后固定好小艇.

船长:你在吊放艇过程中,有没有发生过事故?

一水:没有.

船长:你曾在哪些船上工作过?

一水:我曾经在油轮、LPG船、杂货船、集装箱船上工作过.

船长:喔!你做过不同类型的船.那么你参加过消防演习吗?

一水:当然,我们通常一个月进行一次消防演习.

船长:在演习中,你的岗位是什么?

一水:按照我床头的警示牌,我携带手提式灭火器或消防皮龙参加消防演习.

船长:你能否介绍一下,在不同的火警下,你应该如何使用不同的灭火器材?

一水:好的,先生.如木材、棉花、煤炭等物体发生火灾时,用消防水进行灭火,但如油漆、酒精或石油制品等油类发生火灾时,应该用泡沫、二氧化碳等灭火设备来扑灭.电器、电料等设备漏电而引起的火灾,应首先切断电源,用四氯化碳、干沙土或卤化物等灭火设备进行灭火.另外,我还需要穿上防火服.

船长:说得很好.

一水:谢谢船长.

船长:再见.

一水:再见.

Five

The Captain and Applicant for Carpenter

Cap. ------interviewer

Car. ------interviewee

Accompanied by the agent, the captain walked into the reception room to meet Mr. Zhang. After a brief introduction by the agent, they start to talk.

Cap.: Hello! Mr. Zhang.

Car.: Hello! Captain.

Cap.: Nice to meet you.

Car.: Nice to meet you, too.

Cap.: I am going to employ one carpenter in Shanghai, and my agent recommended you.

Car.: Thank you for offering me such a good chance.

Cap.: Is this your resume?

Car.: Yes. This morning when I came here, your agent asked me to fill this form.

Cap.: According to the resume, you have worked as a carpenter only for half a year. But the resume doesn't tell me where you learnt the skill of the carpentry work.

Car.: I graduated from Nanjing Marine Technical School, studying the subjects for the sailors. There is no carpenter course in my school. I learned the skill of carpentry on board.

Cap.: The one that you have served?

Car.: Yes. At the beginning, I worked as a quartermaster, and then I learned the skill from the old carpenter of that ship. At last, I took his place as a carpenter.

Cap.: Do you like the job of carpenter?

Car.: Yes, I like it very much. Actually I come from a carpenter family.

Cap.: Then, your father is a carpenter, too.

Car.: Not only my father, but also my grandfather. I played with all kinds of carpentry tools since I was 15 years old, I could use the axe, chisel, saw, and plane and so on. My grandfather also told me some knacks in carpentry.

Cap.: Can you make the furniture just by yourself?

Car.: Yes, I can. Such as boxes and shelves, doors and windows, tables,chairs and so on. Once I made an armchair for the captain on the bridge.

Cap.: That's great! I also need one on the bridge. Can you make one for me?

Car.: Sure, if I have the opportunity to serve on your ship.

Cap.: Thank you in advance! But the carpenter on board has to do something more than the carpentry. So can you tell me what the major responsibilities of the carpenter are on board?

Car.: The responsibilities can be classified into two types: One is the operation of the anchor. The anchoring operation should be carried out under the chief officer's command. The other is to take sounding of each water tank, including ballast water and fresh water tanks. After berthing of the ship, replenish the fresh water, charge or discharge the ballast water in accordance with the chief officer's instructions.

Cap.: The carpenter is also in charge of the anchor equipment. Do you know why the ship should be equipped with anchors?

Car.: Without the anchors, the ship cannot stay at the open water area. Anchor with the anchor chain is like the arm of the ship. It can firmly grasp the seabed so as to enable the ship to keep floating on the water. This is an advantage of the ship. If accident happens, the ship can find a proper water area to drop the anchor, waiting for salvage or conducting self-salvage.

Cap.: You have given a vivid description. I think you must know how many parts there are in the anchor equipment.

Car.: Yes. Including anchor, anchor chain, brake, hawse pipe, chain locker pipe, cable locker, windlass and so on.